East Anglia Bus Scene

[gingerheid]

Stagecoach changes (no mention of the Tiger routes).

We are making service changes to some routes in Cambridgeshire from Sunday 31st August 2025

We have been in discussion with the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority (CPCA) about the updates since January, and hope that discussions can continue on how the routes can be best served.

These service changes are needed to keep the local bus network viable after the rise in National Insurance increased annual costs by £1m per year, putting the cost of provision up for those services already struggling to cover their cost of operation. Please find an overview of these changes below.

Route 8A (Orchard Park - Cambridge City Centre)

There will be a new timetable introduced which is tailored to meet current passenger demand as congestion has been an inhibiting factor in further passenger growth.

Route 9 (Littleport - Ely-Cambridge)

The timetabled part of this service which is operated by Stagecoach East will be passed over to the CPCA in order for them to find another operator to run this service.

School Routes 604 (Milton - Impington); 606 (Impington - Cambridge); and 607 (Trumpington-Sawston):

These services will be withdrawn due to extremely low passenger numbers.

Route 31 (Ramsey - Peterborough) and Route 33 (March - Peterborough):

These routes will be partly amalgamated so that the 33 operates an hourly service between Whittlesey and Peterborough, no longer serving March, but providing new direct links from Whittlesey to Peterborough Hospital

 

[Kartenga]

Beestons has just received today two more EvoSeti’s.

Both in silver like the other 4

Registrations are:

MUN 57N
&
MUN 53N

 

[Trainman40083]

Beestons has just received today two more EvoSeti’s.

Both in silver like the other 4

Registrations are:

MUN 57N
&
MUN 53N

Double deckers, or EvoRa single deckers?

 

[F Great Eastern]

Double deckers, or EvoRa single deckers?

They now have following MCV fleet

EvoSeti Double Deckers (Volvo B8L)
MUN 56N (12.8m, delivered in April 2024)
MUN 59N (12.8m, delivered in April 2024)
523FN (12m, delivered in March 2025)
524FN (12m, delivered in March 2025)
MUN 53N (12.8m, delivered in May 2025)
MUN 57N (12.8m, delivered in May 2025)

EvoRa Single Deckers (Volvo B8RLE)
219 GRA (12.9m delivered in March 2023)
221 GRA (12.9m delivered in March 2023)
222 GRA (12.9m delivered in March 2025)

There are still some other vehicles on order but they're not double deckers.

Two Plaxton Leopard Coaches have recently been sold to Sanders in Norfolk, and Bus spec Omnidekkas YN55NDY (Ex BUS 91C) and YN55NJZ (Ex Bus 91D) are up for sale with MX06LDN (ex BUS 91E) also withdrawn. Seat belted Omnidekkas NSV 371/2, BUS 91C/R and 526FN remain in service.

 

[Trainman40083]

They now have following MCV fleet

EvoSeti Double Deckers (Volvo B8L)
MUN 56N (12.8m, delivered in April 2024)
MUN 59N (12.8m, delivered in April 2024)
523FN (12m, delivered in March 2025)
524FN (12m, delivered in March 2025)
MUN 53N (12.8m, delivered in May 2025)
MUN 57N (12.8m, delivered in May 2025)

EvoRa Single Deckers (Volvo B8RLE)
219 GRA (12.9m delivered in March 2023)
221 GRA (12.9m delivered in March 2023)
222 GRA (12.9m delivered in March 2025)

There are still some other vehicles on order but they're not double deckers.

Two Plaxton Leopard Coaches have recently been sold to Sanders in Norfolk, and Bus spec Omnidekkas YN55NDY (Ex BUS 91C) and YN55NJZ (Ex Bus 91D) are up for sale with MX06LDN (ex BUS 91E) also withdrawn. Seat belted Omnidekkas NSV 371/2, BUS 91C/R and 526FN remain in service.

Many thanks

 

[buslad1988]

They now have following MCV fleet

EvoSeti Double Deckers (Volvo B8L)
MUN 56N (12.8m, delivered in April 2024)
MUN 59N (12.8m, delivered in April 2024)
523FN (12m, delivered in March 2025)
524FN (12m, delivered in March 2025)
MUN 53N (12.8m, delivered in May 2025)
MUN 57N (12.8m, delivered in May 2025)

EvoRa Single Deckers (Volvo B8RLE)
219 GRA (12.9m delivered in March 2023)
221 GRA (12.9m delivered in March 2023)
222 GRA (12.9m delivered in March 2025)

There are still some other vehicles on order but they're not double deckers.

See how long all these evora/seti’s last before they start selling them on!

 

[buslad1988]

More changes at Arriva Colchester announced for 1st June - cost savings mostly.

All Sunday services are withdrawn and on Saturdays and non schooldays the 1 and 8 are reduced to every 15 minutes.

The 1 also gets a route change to serve Paxman Way - covering a wider area of Shrub End.

Punctuality changes for the 2.

Arriva Bus

www.arrivabus.co.uk

 

[F Great Eastern]

See how long all these evora/seti’s last before they start selling them on!

Don't think they will do the same with these as they have done with the Enviros. Generally most of the staff didn't like the Enviros, neither did the management from what I have heard. The Volvo/MCV Package is said to be far more favourable in Beestons eyes.

When the Enviros came in they kept hold of the Omnidekkas, YN55NDY and YN55NJZ, left the company this week whilst MX06LDN has now also been listed up for sale in the last couple of days which is the last of the Omnidekkas in the blue and navy livery which were the 3 mainstays on the 91 for well over a decade.

 

[buslad1988]

Does anyone know why Ipswich Buses are giving their new additions random fleet numbers?

For example the E200MMC’s are 65, 66, 68, 70 and 73!

There was a rumour they’d purchased 7 ex mistral but it appears 4 of the 7 have now gone to Arriva - according to the bus shop website.

 

[stuart81]

Does anyone know why Ipswich Buses are giving their new additions random fleet numbers?

For example the E200MMC’s are 65, 66, 68, 70 and 73!

There was a rumour they’d purchased 7 ex mistral but it appears 4 of the 7 have now gone to Arriva - according to the bus shop website.

Wasn't there something with some of the old style E200's being seat belted so were re-numbered?

I don't understand why the 3 E400 MMC's are numbered 5, 6, 7 either

 

[Trainman40083]

Wasn't there something with some of the old style E200's being seat belted so were re-numbered?

I don't understand why the 3 E400 MMC's are numbered 5, 6, 7 either

Might they be considered as part of the coach/private hire fleet?

 

[Magdalia]

Is there any actual Tiger livery/branding yet? Tiger itself just seems odd - it’s not like tigers have any significance in Cambridgeshire? (Or atleast not to my knowledge). They could have found a brand name more locally focused… Cambus for example!

I don't visit this discussion very often and have only just seen this.

The Fen Tigers were a group of rebellious individuals who challenged the status quo (landed gentry) about 300 years ago, with a tigerish fighting capability.

This is partly right. The original Fen Tigers were rebels who resisted the drainage of the Fens in the 17th century. The Fen Tigers were defending the status quo, it was the landed gentry, most notably the Duke of Bedford, who were upending the status quo by funding the drainage.

But more importantly, until 1961 Cambridgeshire had its own army regiment, mostly volunteers. They fought on the Western Front in World War 1, and in the Far East in World War 2. The Cambridgeshire Regiment took Fen Tigers as its nickname.

It is the Fen Tigers contribution to 2 World Wars that most gives the tiger name its relevance, and it would be hard to find anything more suitable that applies across all of the county.

 

[buslad1988]

Wasn't there something with some of the old style E200's being seat belted so were re-numbered?

I don't understand why the 3 E400 MMC's are numbered 5, 6, 7 either

I’m not really sure what’s happening with them at the moment. Guess it’s a positive the 7 E200 MMC’s haven’t all materialised as they’re all seat belted - that’s fine for small time rural independent but not a town operator like Ipswich.

Doesn’t seem to be any clear direction the companies going in.

They’ve simplified fares which is a positive but the network hasn’t been touched for a long time and it badly needs addressing.

And as the indecision on a new brand/livery - how long does this take! Been over a year… I’m expecting something radical otherwise why on earth has it taken so long.

 

[paulprentice]

I’m not really sure what’s happening with them at the moment. Guess it’s a positive the 7 E200 MMC’s haven’t all materialised as they’re all seat belted - that’s fine for small time rural independent but not a town operator like Ipswich.

Doesn’t seem to be any clear direction the companies going in.

They’ve simplified fares which is a positive but the network hasn’t been touched for a long time and it badly needs addressing.

And as the indecision on a new brand/livery - how long does this take! Been over a year… I’m expecting something radical otherwise why on earth has it taken so long.

Have a strong hunch this apparent drift and lack of direction is more about the upcoming changes to local government and devolution to Norfolk and Suffolk. The Suffolk County Council elections were postponed this year, and of course there will be a Mayoral Combined Authority for Norfolk and Suffolk by May 2026 (with the creation of new unitary authorities underneath that structure eventually), so it begs the question what happens to Ipswich Buses as a council-owned company. Will it transfer to one of the new unitary authorities (can't see that happening by next year!) or will it become the responsibility of the new Mayoral Combined Authority?

Whoever is in charge and takes on responsibility will have the huge benefit of their own publicly-owned bus company, albeit one that only operates in part of Suffolk, but has a well-established base in a large town that could be expanded upon, and with the new Bus Services Bill going through Parliament there will be options of using the new franchising powers or simply keeping everything in-house. Personally I can see a case for both - a public sector operator and the likes of First and Go-Ahead operating franchised routes (and other, smaller operators across Norfolk and Suffolk) perhaps eventually under a re-designed network.

 

[MotCO]

Have a strong hunch this apparent drift and lack of direction is more about the upcoming changes to local government and devolution to Norfolk and Suffolk. The Suffolk County Council elections were postponed this year, and of course there will be a Mayoral Combined Authority for Norfolk and Suffolk by May 2026 (with the creation of new unitary authorities underneath that structure eventually), so it begs the question what happens to Ipswich Buses as a council-owned company. Will it transfer to one of the new unitary authorities (can't see that happening by next year!) or will it become the responsibility of the new Mayoral Combined Authority.

Whoever is in charge and takes on responsibility will have the huge benefit of their own publicly-owned bus company, albeit one that only operates in part of Suffolk, but has a well-established base in a large town that could be expanded upon, and with the new Bus Services Bill going through Parliament there will be options of using the new franchising powers or simply keeping everything in-house. Personally I can see a case for both - a public sector operator and the likes of First and Go-Ahead operating franchised routes (and other, smaller operators across Norfolk and Suffolk) perhaps eventually under a re-designed network.

Whilst there may be some fair to meddling operators in Norfolk and Suffolf, would franchising lose the likes of Lynx and Sanders of Holt who seem to provide excellent services?

 

[buslad1988]

Have a strong hunch this apparent drift and lack of direction is more about the upcoming changes to local government and devolution to Norfolk and Suffolk. The Suffolk County Council elections were postponed this year, and of course there will be a Mayoral Combined Authority for Norfolk and Suffolk by May 2026 (with the creation of new unitary authorities underneath that structure eventually), so it begs the question what happens to Ipswich Buses as a council-owned company. Will it transfer to one of the new unitary authorities (can't see that happening by next year!) or will it become the responsibility of the new Mayoral Combined Authority.

Whoever is in charge and takes on responsibility will have the huge benefit of their own publicly-owned bus company, albeit one that only operates in part of Suffolk, but has a well-established base in a large town that could be expanded upon, and with the new Bus Services Bill going through Parliament there will be options of using the new franchising powers or simply keeping everything in-house. Personally I can see a case for both - a public sector operator and the likes of First and Go-Ahead operating franchised routes (and other, smaller operators across Norfolk and Suffolk) perhaps eventually under a re-designed network.

That maybe true! I believe the decision comes in September over authorities and mayors - I guess then candidates will come forward and it’ll become clear if there is any interest in franchising or not.

At the moment there is no appetite for this from either Suffolk or Norfolk; Norfolk work very well with their local operators, have a brilliant network and great infrastructure. I can’t imagine they’d want to change that. Whilst Suffolk don’t seem interested; probably because of the mix of work and cost involved. They muddle through and rely on Border Bus, Mulleys etc to fill gaps left by First. Go Ahead and Vectare also seem keen to expand in Suffolk.

How are Ipswich Buses finances at the moment? Didn’t they have multiple loans from the council at one point? That may be a burden for any new authority to be saddled with.

The fleet is going to be a massive problem too… buying a handful of 65/68 plate enviros simply won’t be enough. It’s going to require a huge investment. They also need to concentrate on their core network, not simply chasing private hire coaching and bus contracts for schools. Going forward in their present form I cannot see how they’ll ever be able to afford electric buses - not to mention they’ll probably need to build a new depot for it. Something they were going to do about 20 years ago but never came to fruition.

 

[paulprentice]

That maybe true! I believe the decision comes in September over authorities and mayors - I guess then candidates will come forward and it’ll become clear if there is any interest in franchising or not.

At the moment there is no appetite for this from either Suffolk or Norfolk; Norfolk work very well with their local operators, have a brilliant network and great infrastructure. I can’t imagine they’d want to change that. Whilst Suffolk don’t seem interested; probably because of the mix of work and cost involved. They muddle through and rely on Border Bus, Mulleys etc to fill gaps left by First. Go Ahead and Vectare also seem keen to expand in Suffolk.

How are Ipswich Buses finances at the moment? Didn’t they have multiple loans from the council at one point? That may be a burden for any new authority to be saddled with.

The fleet is going to be a massive problem too… buying a handful of 65/68 plate enviros simply won’t be enough. It’s going to require a huge investment. They also need to concentrate on their core network, not simply chasing private hire coaching and bus contracts for schools. Going forward in their present form I cannot see how they’ll ever be able to afford electric buses - not to mention they’ll probably need to build a new depot for it. Something they were going to do about 20 years ago but never came to fruition.

Indeed, I wonder whether the appetite for franchising exists in Suffolk or whether there just needs to be a better partnership with the existing operators with the new mayoral authority/unitary authorities putting in place the infrastructure to make buses work better. I’m sure some of the independents in Suffolk are great local bus operators, though I don’t live close enough these days to experience any of them regularly so will leave others to give a view.

It doesn’t hurt to have a public sector operator in the mix but I absolutely agree that major investment is required in Ipswich Buses (or perhaps a future ‘Greater Ipswich Buses’!) depending on how local government reorganisation works out. Fleet decarbonisation (and an associated depot upgrade/new depot), a proper network review to better serve the major settlements and of course a sensible fares structure to retain and attract patronage should all be on the cards.

Side note: media reports suggest that Sizewell C is likely to get the final go ahead very soon, and that brings with it the possibility of approximately 150 hydrogen powered buses to service the site, much like Hinkley Point C, and with the depot already earmarked in the east of Ipswich, that’ll be very interesting to watch in terms of bus infrastructure.

 

[buslad1988]

Indeed, I wonder whether the appetite for franchising exists in Suffolk or whether there just needs to be a better partnership with the existing operators with the new mayoral authority/unitary authorities putting in place the infrastructure to make buses work better. I’m sure some of the independents in Suffolk are great local bus operators, though I don’t live close enough these days to experience any of them regularly so will leave others to give a view.

It doesn’t hurt to have a public sector operator in the mix but I absolutely agree that major investment is required in Ipswich Buses (or perhaps a future ‘Greater Ipswich Buses’!) depending on how local government reorganisation works out. Fleet decarbonisation (and an associated depot upgrade/new depot), a proper network review to better serve the major settlements and of course a sensible fares structure to retain and attract patronage should all be on the cards.

Side note: media reports suggest that Sizewell C is likely to get the final go ahead very soon, and that brings with it the possibility of approximately 150 hydrogen powered buses to service the site, much like Hinkley Point C, and with the depot already earmarked in the east of Ipswich, that’ll be very interesting to watch in terms of bus infrastructure.

From reading through Suffolk’s enhanced partnership meeting minutes there is definitely no interest from them to take on the burden (or cost) of franchising! If anything they look to Norfolk and their way of doing things as a good example and for future planning. It’s literally night and day between those two counties at the moment in terms of public transport provision and infrastructure; that needs balancing out and addressing under any new mayor!

Suffolk just appear to be woefully slow in the planning stages and for actually getting things done. They talk enough, have little big ambition to make any major, radical proposals and by the time they do agree on something either the moneys run out or been taken off them. The new Sizewell C operator I believe local firms are concerned they’ll lose a lot of driving staff to them… and they also want it set in stone that they can’t bid or go for any tendered work around the daily runs to/from the site.

In terms of a ‘Greater Ipswich’ type network that really means there’s only room for one operator in the town. The inter urban runs need to be incorporated into the key corridors within Ipswich for frequency and better connectivity with just a few core town services alongside it (think along on the line of First’s Norwich Network). Not to mention for that to work the crazy two bus station system also needs abolishing and one site for all needs to happen.

 

[F Great Eastern]

Beestons has just received today two more EvoSeti’s.

Both in silver like the other 4

Registrations are:

MUN 57N
&
MUN 53N

Is MUN 57N certainly right? It doesn't pull anything in terms of a vehicle check. I've never actually seen it out and about like the other five? Or did they sell it on?

 

[Kartenga]

Is MUN 57N certainly right? It doesn't pull anything in terms of a vehicle check. I've never actually seen it out and about like the other five? Or did they sell it on?

Mainly been in use with private hire work and school work it’s been out and about.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Indeed, I wonder whether the appetite for franchising exists in Suffolk or whether there just needs to be a better partnership with the existing operators with the new mayoral authority/unitary authorities putting in place the infrastructure to make buses work better. I’m sure some of the independents in Suffolk are great local bus operators, though I don’t live close enough these days to experience any of them regularly so will leave others to give a view.

Having just returned from Suffolk, and seen the ambivalence of the county council, I doubt any appetite exists. There are some decent operators with one of First's better OpCos, Border Bus and Stephensons being decent indies.

As others have said, there's a much better council just to the north who are doing much better in how they are supporting bus services.

 

[F Great Eastern]

Mainly been in use with private hire work and school work it’s been out and about.

It showing as no longer on the plate by the DVLA.

 

[Cesarcollie]

Having just returned from Suffolk, and seen the ambivalence of the county council, I doubt any appetite exists. There are some decent operators with one of First's better OpCos, Border Bus and Stephensons being decent indies.

As others have said, there's a much better council just to the north who are doing much better in how they are supporting bus services.

Norfolk are better but of course they did get huge slug of (original) BSIP funding which Suffolk didn’t. They have used it well though - and achieved a lot of sensible ‘wins’.

 

[buslad1988]

Norfolk are better but of course they did get huge slug of (original) BSIP funding which Suffolk didn’t. They have used it well though - and achieved a lot of sensible ‘wins’.

Agreed, most of Norfolk’s implemented schemes have all been simple, yet effective. Great Yarmouth’s Market Gates has probably been the most major. Their route enhancements have also been fairly modest - frequency enhancements, extentions of existing routes to outlying villages, filling gaps in the evenings etc. But on the whole, all sensible and introduced in a timely fashion.

Whilst Suffolk were unlucky losing out with the zebra scheme for First’s Lowestoft fleet and for Chambers entire replacement.

They just appear woefully slow - Bus lane cameras for Ipswich have been on the agenda for 3+ years and they’re still not there with them yet. The only additional bus lane they’ve introduced has been hugely controversial, and being on the Park & Ride route has been of no real benefit to the wider community.

An example of a new route in Ipswich is the 8B (which is basically the resurrected 18 from the 90’s/00’s). However whilst sharing a common section with the town route 8 it’s not co-ordinated with it, operates from the ‘country’ bus station and is effectively a stand alone service. That’s great to see if it can survive long term; but why not incorporate it into the main town service from day one - adding extra income from the busy Bramford Road, maybe link to the Rail Station. It would have opened up new opportunities and have provided additional revenue.

Ipswich should also have got improved early evening services and enhancements to those hourly/2 hourly routes. Of course; a major network change would address that and it probably won’t happen as they councillors want to maintain the status quo and not lose any votes (which is why Ipswich has the problems it does).

They did however work with First to make some modest frequency improvements on some Lowestoft town services and introduced a Stowmarket town service. However what about Felixstowe, Woodbridge. There are many expanding towns which need better connecting now throughout the county before car dependency takes hold.

Reading through the meeting minutes in the latest councillor meeting for BSIP it’s blatantly obvious some of them do not have a clue about bus operation!

 

[Kartenga]

Mainly been in use with private hire work and school work it’s been out and about.

It showing as no longer on the plate by the DVLA.

Correction

Been told it’s in the yard it not been on service yet.

 

[F Great Eastern]

DVLA records show that MUN 57N was re-registered under another plate, don't know what it is so if it's still in the fleet, it's got a different registration now.

Meanwhile it's confirmed that NSV 371 has now become BUS 91D and NSV 372 has become BUS 91E